Apple tree named `Lurechild&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Malus domestica  plant that produces apples having a red flesh color and good eating quality.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Malus domestica

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Lurechild’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of apple tree botanically classified as Malus domestica and known by the varietal name ‘Lurechild’. The new variety was discovered in September of 2006 in Buchs, Switzerland. The new variety is the result of planned breeding program, in which Malus domestica ‘LubA793’ (female parent, unpatented) was crossed with Malus domestica ‘LubA264’ (male parent, unpatented). The purpose of the breeding program was to develop red-fleshed apples having an improved eating quality and scab resistance. The new variety exhibits similar sugar content, size, and scab resistance to its female parent, but is higher in acidity and has a red flesh color. The new variety exhibits similar red flesh and level of acidity to its male parent, but has a better eating quality. The red flesh color combined with good eating quality of ‘Lurechild’ distinguishes the new variety from other Malus domestica varieties. Its red flesh color, high sugar and acidity content, and scab resistance of the new variety are similar to Malus domestica ‘Luresweet’ (U.S. Plant Patent concurrently applied-for herewith). However, ‘Lurechild’ has a much earlier harvest time than ‘Luresweet’.

The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new cultivar, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 is a close-up view of fruits of the new variety at maturity on the tree;

FIG. 2 shows fruits of the new variety at maturity on the tree;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of a fruit of the new variety;

FIG. 4 is transverse, cross-sectional view of a fruit of the new variety;

FIG. 5 shows the fruits of the new variety at maturity off the tree;

FIG. 6 shows buds and flowers of the new variety;

FIG. 7 is a close-up view of the flowers of the new variety;

FIG. 8 shows upper and lower surfaces of young leaves of the new variety; and

FIG. 9 shows upper and lower surfaces of mature leaves of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics was collected by asexual reproductions carried out via grafting on Malus domestica rootstocks in the Spring of 2006 in Buchs, Switzerland. The new variety was grown in an apple orchard under standard apple tree conditions in Buchs, Switzerland. The color readings were taken in natural daylight without direct sunlight. Color references are primarily to the 2007 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

-   Tree:     -   -   Age.—4 years.         -   Size.—2.2×0.5 m.         -   Spread.—3.2×0.5 m.         -   Vigor.—Weak.         -   Growth type.—Ramified; spreading.         -   Trunk.—Size: Average of 15.0 mm in diameter. Surface             texture: Smooth. Bark color: 177A. Lenticels: Length:             1.0-1.5 mm. Width: 0.5-0.7 mm. Color: 164C. Density: High.         -   Branches.—Diameter: Average of 6.5 mm. Surface texture:             Smooth, with absent or very weak pubescence at the distal             half of shoots. Average angle: 45°. Internode length:             Medium. Lenticels: Length: 0.5-1.0 mm. Width: 0.2-0.6 mm.             Shape: Oval to round. Density: High. Color: 159B.         -   Leaves.—Length: 11.0-12.0 cm. Width: 7.0-9.0 cm. Shape:             Oblong to oval. Base: Flat; V-shaped. Texture: Leathery with             a slight shine. Pubescence: Upper surface: Absent. Lower             surface: Weak. Color: Young leaves: Upper surface: 187A.             Lower surface: 147C. Mature leaves: Upper surface: N137B.             Lower surface: 147B. Petiole: Shape, when viewed in             cross-section: Slightly crenate. Length: 2.5-3.0 cm.             Diameter: 2.0 mm. Color: 187B. Veins: Venation type:             Net-like. Color: Upper surface: 185B to 185C. Lower surface:             185C.         -   Flowers.—Buds: Pedicels: Length: 25.0-27.0 mm. Diameter:             2.0 mm. Color: 184A. Bud (terminal): Length: 8.0 mm. Width:             4.0 mm. Color: 60A. Blooming time: From the middle to the             end of April in Buchs, Switzerland. Blooming period:             Approximately 15 days. Pollination requirements:             Cross-pollination is necessary. Number of flowers per             cluster: 5 to 7. Fragrance: Slight. Petals: Number: 5.             Length: 24.0-26.0 mm. Width: 16.0-17.0 mm. Shape: Oval.             Margin: Slightly wavy. Texture and appearance: Soft and             fragile. Color: When opening: Upper surface: 60D. Lower             surface: 60C. When fully opened: Upper surface: 73A. Lower             surface: 73A. Sepals: Shape: Pointed. Margin: Entire.             Texture: Soft pubescence present. Length: 8.0 mm. Width:             4.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: 138C. Lower surface: 180B.             Stamens: Number (per flower): 19. Filament length:             9.0-12.0 mm. Anthers: Shape: Oval to oblong. Length: 2.5 mm.             Color: Yellowish. Pollen: Color: Yellowish. Pistils: Length:             14.0 mm. Style: Length: 8.0-9.0 mm. Color: 63B to 63C.             Stigma: Shape: Round. Color: 151B.         -   Fruit.—September 10^(th) to September 15^(th). Date of             picking: Size: Axial diameter: 55.0-60.0 mm. Transverse             diameter: 70.0-75.0 mm. Form: Roundish; oblong at top and             bottom. Cavity: Acute, with medium depth and breadth. Basin:             Regular; ribbed; shallow-medium depth; medium width. Calyx:             Half open.         -   Skin.—Thickness: Medium. Texture: Smooth. Color: 185A.             Ground Color: None.         -   Flesh.—Color: 46B. Texture: Firm. Eating quality: Very good;             well-balanced sugar-acid content; berry-like taste.         -   Core.—Bundle area: White; clasping. Calyx tube: Conical; 7.0             mm from tube to shoulder. Styles: Closed. Stamens: Medium.             Seed cells: Wall: Open. Depth: 11.0 mm. Breadth: 6.0-7.0 mm.         -   Seeds.—Number perfect: 16. Number in one cell: 3. Length:             9.0 mm. Breadth: 4.0 mm. Form: Oval and pointed. Color:             177A.         -   Stem.—Length: 28.0-30.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm. Color: 183A.         -   Use.—Table or dessert fruit.         -   Shipping quality.—No bruising with normal handling.         -   Keeping quality.—3 months in a normal, cool storage area,             but very sensitive to deep storage temperatures below 4-5°             C.         -   Tree winter hardiness.—Hardy to −18° C.         -   Bud winter hardiness.—Hardy to −18° C.         -   Drought tolerance.—Average.         -   Disease resistance.—Resistant to scab. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Malus domestica tree substantially as shown and described. 